It was revealed this week that Spike TV is unlikely to pick up TNA Impact Wrestling when their current deal with the wrestling promotion runs out in October, and WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross took to his blog at Jrsbarbq.com to speak about Spike TV dropping Impact being potentially bad for the WWE.
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Ross speculated about the possibility of TNA shopping Impact to other networks to take over airing the program if and when Spike TV drops TNA in October.
"TMZ reported Sunday night that they would be ending their relationship with TNA Impact when their current rights fee arrangement ends supposedly in October," Ross wrote. "Obviously, this is a blow to TNA but they have a weekly audience of approximately 1M viewers which will interest some cable networks. The question is can TNA negotiate a deal that will financially keep them in business in today's entertainment world with this quick turnaround?"
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Ross also added that the WWE was recently underwhelmed with the deal it inked with NBC Universal for its programming, which means TNA will potentially get an even worse deal.
"WWE got less of a rights fee from NBC/Universal to stay on the USA Network than many predicted so one could assume another cable entity might not be willing to pay top dollar for TNA with the current perception that broadcasters apparently have regarding the genre," Ross blogged.
He added: "One would assume/hope TNA finds a new cable home and they move their fan base with them. If not, Viacom's Spike Network is in the same position TBS was in when Jim Crockett Promotions found themselves in financial duress. TBS bought out JCP and WCW aired on TBS & TNT for years. The question is does Viacom want to own a pro wrestling franchise to go with their newly acquired MMA franchise Bellator?"
Ross also turned the focus to the WWE, which is expected to have a conference call regarding the WWE Network this week. Ross believes that there could be some bad news looming for the No. 1 wrestling business in the world.
"It will be interesting to see how all the involved parties spin this matter come Monday morning," Ross wrote. "If WWE's scheduled financial, conference call doesn't go well later this week especially as it relates to the number [of] subscribers currently paying for the WWE Network this will be one of the most [newsworthy] and potentially negative weeks the business has experienced in years. Hopefully the week will end better than it's started."
Lastly, Ross wrote that he hopes the fans come out on top as in the end as competition is best for business.
"As in any major development such as this, opportunistic entrepreneurs will circle their wagons to both fill the programming void at Spike and to potentially create national, cable TV competition for WWE," Ross said. "I'm hoping the wrestling fans win at the end of the day and that there will be competition within the timeless genre that has apparently come to another crossroads that will necessitate change which might actually be a good thing."
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